A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Gainesville vs. Atlantic City for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Gainesville or Atlantic City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Atlantic City, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Gainesville

Gainesville is a active, vibrant, and high energy city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Gainesville travel costs.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a glitzy, flashy, and party-oriented city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Atlantic City travel costs.

Gainesville and Atlantic City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gainesville or Atlantic City?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Atlantic City. Although Gainesville and Atlantic City are both popular with visitors, Atlantic City has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Atlantic City is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Gainesville is known for its museums and attractions. Atlantic City is more touristy than Gainesville and is known for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality It is also home to Steel Pier and the Boardwalk. Gainesville is popular for being the home of the University of Florida

How is Gainesville different from Atlantic City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Atlantic City and Gainesville. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Gainesville or Atlantic City?

Gainesville is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Gainesville. There's a surprising number of museums around town such as the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, and the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention. Also fascinating is the Historic Haile Homestead, the Butterfly Rainforest, and the city's planetarium.

While most people don't head to Atlantic City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While most people don't spend their time in museums, there is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Noyes Museum Galleries.

Is the Food Better in Gainesville or Atlantic City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Gainesville and Atlantic City offer good local cuisine and restaurants.

Gainesville offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Casual eateries are popular around town, particularly with the student population. There are grills, diners, and bistros that serve local dishes at affordable prices.

Atlantic City has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are budget buffets around town as well as seafood restaurants and even some fine dining. Salt water taffy is a local specialty that you should pick up while you're in the area.

Is Gainesville or Atlantic City Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is very popular for nightlife. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Atlantic City is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. This is a city that is all about its nightlife scene. Many visitors come here just to party, and you'll find clubs with DJs or bands playing from sunset to sunrise. There are glitzy lounges and dive bars with everything in between. As a gambling town, there are casinos and all-night activities that keep the energy going round the clock.

Gainesville has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife centers around the student population. The two main party areas are Midtown and Downtown. Midtown is between Northwest 17th Street and Northwest 18th Street and it's convenient for students who live on campus. The area has a great stretch of bars and clubs. The Downtown area has many of the city's top clubs, and it's popular with upperclassmen and students who live off campus.

Is Gainesville or Atlantic City Better for Resorts?

Atlantic City is notable for its resorts. However, Gainesville is not a resort destination.

Atlantic City is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. The beach and boardwalk are lined with casinos and resorts. There are many recognizable names such as Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, and the Tropicana.

Gainesville is not a resort destination.

Is Gainesville or Atlantic City Better for Beaches?

Atlantic City is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Gainesville is not a beach destination.

Atlantic City has a beach worth visiting. There's a Boardwalk that runs along the beach and is lined with piers and hotels. The Downtown Beach is the most accessible, and where most tourists hang out. If you're willing to travel a little further, there are some nice beaches nearby such as Margate Beach and Brigantine Beach.

Gainesville is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Gainesville or Atlantic City?

Both Gainesville and Atlantic City are good shopping destinations.

Gainesville is a great destination for shopping. You'll find all of the standard shopping options around town such as malls, shopping centers, and retail outlets. Two popular areas are the Neighborhoods at Butler and Celebration Pointe.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Atlantic City. You'll find many souvenir shops along the boardwalk. There's also a Tangier Outlet Mall in the area. Some of the hotels such as the Tropicana have their own shopping areas as well.

Is Gainesville or Atlantic City Better for Families?

Gainesville is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Gainesville. You'll find outdoor activities, nature parks, and a couple of museums that will appeal to all ages. Highlights for families include A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center, the Adventure Outpost, and Alfred A. Ring Park.

For families, Atlantic City is not always the best place to visit. Most families avoid this area for more family-friendly beaches, but if you find yourself in the area, you can check out Ripley's Believe It or Not or go on a dolphin cruise. Also popular is Steel Pier, which has rides for all ages.

Is Gainesville or Atlantic City Better for Couples?

Gainesville and Atlantic City are both good to visit as a couple.

Gainesville is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy wine tasting and fine dining or enjoying the city's many outdoor activities. Go on a picnic or explore one of the museums in Downtown Gainesville.

Atlantic City makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's not exactly known for its romance, but there are casinos, hotels, and a beaches that are fun to visit. You'll also find several spas and sunset cruises in the area.

Is Gainesville or Atlantic City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atlantic City is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Gainesville is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Atlantic City. There is a hostel in the area. You'll also find a younger crowd and plenty of partying.

Gainesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for many travelers, but there are some cheap motels where budget travelers can stay.

Is Gainesville or Atlantic City Better for Students?

Gainesville is well known for students. However, Atlantic City is not popular with students.

Many students visit Gainesville. As the location of the University of Florida, you'll find many students around town. This keeps the energy high with plenty of evening activities and affordable entertainment options.

Atlantic City is not popular with students.

Is Gainesville or Atlantic City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Gainesville and Atlantic City offer good public transit options.

Gainesville has a few public transit options. There's a decent bus system that's free to students and employees of the university.

Atlantic City has some public transit options. The Jitney are shuttle buses that runs from one end of the city to the other. They pass by most of the hotels and casinos along Pacific Avenue.

Is Gainesville or Atlantic City a more walkable city?

Atlantic City is notable for its walkability. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Atlantic City is very walkable. Many of the hotels are walkable and located near the boardwalk.

Gainesville is a somewhat walkable place. Biking is actually a popular way to get around town and some areas are pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Gainesville Worth Visiting? and Is Atlantic City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atlantic City or Gainesville?

How long in Gainesville or Atlantic City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Gainesville and Atlantic City. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Atlantic City than in Gainesville. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Gainesville, and 1-3 days is enough time in Atlantic City.

Families should spend more time in Gainesville than Atlantic City. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Gainesville, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Atlantic City than Gainesville. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Atlantic City that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atlantic City than Gainesville if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Atlantic City.

One day in Gainesville or Atlantic City?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Gainesville. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the party-oriented city of Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the nightlife. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Gainesville or Atlantic City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Gainesville. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the flashy destination of Atlantic City. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Gainesville or Atlantic City?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant destination of Gainesville. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

The colorful city of Atlantic City offers shopping and nightlife. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Gainesville or Atlantic City?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Gainesville. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Atlantic City. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the nightlife. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gainesville and Atlantic City, we can see that Gainesville is more expensive. And not only is Atlantic City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Atlantic City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atlantic City and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Gainesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gainesville than you might in Atlantic City.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gainesville Expensive? and Is Atlantic City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Atlantic City?

Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville and Atlantic City, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Gainesville or Atlantic City?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Gainesville or Atlantic City in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Atlantic City. Many travelers come to Gainesville for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Atlantic City in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Gainesville is a little warmer than Atlantic City in the summer. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Atlantic City fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

Atlantic City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gainesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Atlantic City. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Gainesville or Atlantic City in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Atlantic City. Many visitors come to Gainesville in the autumn for the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Atlantic City for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Gainesville is much warmer than Atlantic City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gainesville in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Atlantic City averages at about 56°F (13°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in October than Atlantic City. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.

Should I visit Gainesville or Atlantic City in the Winter?

Both Atlantic City and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Gainesville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Atlantic City because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Atlantic City can be very cold. In January, Gainesville is generally much warmer than Atlantic City. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 54°F (12°C), and Atlantic City fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

In January, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Atlantic City. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Gainesville or Atlantic City in the Spring?

Both Atlantic City and Gainesville during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year.

Gainesville is much warmer than Atlantic City in the spring. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 69°F (20°C) in April, and Atlantic City fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in April than Atlantic City. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.

Typical Weather for Atlantic City and Gainesville